Living within one hour of Cardiff

[Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear]

We currently live in Newport but plan to move within the next 18mo to 2 years. DH needs to be within an hour of Cardiff for work and needs to be able to get to London fairly easily on occasion.

We have a 5yo DS so don't want to be too remote.

Where if you could live anywhere within an hour of Cardiff would you live? We love Monmouthshire but I worry it wouldn't be great for a teen. I feel that there are probably some areas around Cardiff which are lovely but which I know nothing about as didn't grow up in South Wales.

I really wouldn't say Crickhowell or Abergavenny are good for teens! Maybe if you've got outdoorsy ones, but otherwise they'll be bored out of their skulls and you'll be doing a LOT of taxi driving for them! I grew up there and escaped to the city as soon as I could

Somewhere within easy commuter train distance to Cardiff I'd say for your kids. That gives you a lot of scope OP. Barry might work - it's busy enough and there are some really nice areas. By the sea, within good distance to Cardiff. Definitely worth looking at what your money will get you.

Barry really has improved massively. I wouldn't have considered it 10 years ago, but would now. It does still feel like a bit of a trek to Cardiff at times.

I grew up in Dinas Powys and now live in Radyr. Both great for teenagers with good transport links by train. Relied heavily on getting around by train when I was a teenager in Dinas Powys as I couldn't drive until I turned 20 and it gave me so much freedom! Similarly rely heavily on trains now living in Radyr and absolutely love the area. People are friendly and lots of things to do! Great schools in the area too, many Welsh speaking, a reason why we chose to move here. Wouldn't really recommend Sully. Lovely houses but very little to do in the area and your kids may rely heavily on lifts from you. If you're looking in the Vale, definitely Dinas Powys, Barry has improved hugely and also Penarth, which people have mentioned is expensive, but lovely places to go in the area such as Cardiff Bay Barrage, Penarth Pier and Cosmeston etc. Both also have good train links.
Good luck with your hunt! 😊

@Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear just come back onto mumsnet after a long break and am intrigued as to where you eventually decided on moving to? Hope you found somewhere you love and suits what you need? :)

Whitchurch could be a really good option. There's a good Welsh primary (Melin Gruffydd) right in the middle of the 'village', and pretty decent shops, cafés, bars and restaurants plus library, churches etc. For secondary, Glantaf is in walking distance.

When the kids are teens they can easily catch the bus into town and the train service from Llandaf is about as good a service as you find on local public transport in South Wales - a bit crowded in the morning peak, but great for getting into town to shop or eat.

I reckon you'd get something decent for your budget. I'd personally look at the areas between Ty'n y Pwll Road and Pantmawr Road, or from The Parade up to Westbourne Road.

Llandaf North is nearby and has a nice community feel, but the houses are smaller - lots of little terraces.

It's decidedly suburban rather than rural, but right by the Taff Trail for easy cycling/running along the river, or around the Forest Farm/Glamorganshire Canal area and with really easy access up the A470 to the Beacons or to the M4 to head west to Pembrokeshire and Gower or east if you need to get across the Severn.

Damn, old thread. Sorry. I stand by the recommendation for Whitchurch if anyone else is looking, though! 🙂